CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2014 Audi Q5

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

105

Complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Audi Q5 have filed 105 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2013 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 36 of them (34%). The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 53 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

18V229000 · April 11, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
The risk
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 342,867 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17V622000 · October 5, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
The risk
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 216,913 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

17V298000 · May 3, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 240,487 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

17V002000 · January 3, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
The risk
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 342,867 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

17V001000 · January 3, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 234,057 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 105.

ENGINE 36 34%
STEERING 17 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 10%
STRUCTURE 10 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 9%
SUSPENSION 7 7%
POWER TRAIN 6 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 4%
AIR BAGS 3 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 20.

2013 2018 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 41,296 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND FRONT PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED, BUT IS WAS UNKNOWN IF MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,296. *TT

NHTSA complaint 11096476. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed · 59,000 miles

I APPROACH A CITY INTERSECTION AT THE FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT AND HAD NO BRAKES, STEERING, OR ACCELERATOR CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. I FLEW THROUGH THE INSPECTION HITTING THE CURB AND LAUNCHING MY VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 50' OF DISTANCE OVER A DRAINAGE DITCH SLAMMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE SPEED WAS AT LEAST 40-50MPH AT THAT MOMENT, MAYBE FASTER SINCE THE VEHICLE JUST ACCELERATED BUT WOULD NOT BRAKE OR STEER. I HAD MY SEATBELT FASTENED AND AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE FRAME LITERALLY SHATTERED ON IMPACT. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS TRAUMA TO MY FACE AND BACK AND ANKLES.

NHTSA complaint 11343683. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Seatbelt tensioner and air bags failed to deploy when the vehicles was in a severe frontal collision when another vehicle ran a stop sign exiting the highway.

NHTSA complaint 11446057. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · 38,000 miles

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WITH MY PANORAMIC MOONROOF OPEN COMPLETELY. I WAS TRAVELING IN A SAFE SPEED, NO SPEED BUMPS OR POT HOLES, NO UNDERPASSES, AND NO TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY MY MOONROOF GLASS POPPED AND SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. NEXT THING I KNOW, I AM GETTING A FACE FULL OF GLASS AND MY ENTIRE BACK SEAT IS COVERED IN GLASS. I HAVE SUSTAINED MICRO SCRATCHES FROM THE BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER MY CAR AND IT WAS UNDRIVEABLE AS I FEARED ALL THE GLASS CONTINUING TO FLY IN MY FACE. THANK GOD I WAS ALONE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND REALIZED THAT THIS IS A RECOGNIZABLE SAFETY CONCERN WITH MY VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AROUND THE WORLD, BUT AUDI WILL NOT RECOGNIZE AS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. I'M

NHTSA complaint 11098474, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
My Q5 has a defective subframe. The system is defective because plastic coverings on the subframes of Audi Q5s and SQ5s trap moisture and other elements, causing the subframe to rust, rot, and corrode undetected, which creates a dangerous safety hazard, the existence and extent of which is concealed by the plastic coverings. This results in a myriad of negative consequences for the Class Vehicles and their safe and reliable operation. The defect, which can only be discovered after removing the plastic covering on the vehicles’ steel subframe, leaves an affected Audi vulnerable to “structural instability.”

NHTSA complaint 11754215. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
The rear sub frame has completely rusted through, on both driver and passenger sides. This makes the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. It is a 2014 q5 with 160k miles. There is a hole on the bottom of the frame on both sides due to a poorly designed cover that traps salt and other road debris leading to premature failure.

NHTSA complaint 11735869. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Post fix EDR cooler failure causing coolant fluid loss " enough complaints =pressure on Audi Reference EA189 emissions fix Subject: Goodwill Assistance Request – 2014 Q5 TDI EGR Cooler – VIN [XXX] Audi Customer Experience Team, I am writing to request goodwill assistance for my 2014 Audi Q5 TDI, VIN [XXX] , with 105,000 miles. Vehicle Issue The car is losing engine coolant with no external leaks. Symptoms are consistent with a failed EGR cooler: low coolant warnings every few weeks, white smoke on cold starts, and no puddles or visible leaks. This is a documented failure mode on the 3.0L TDI V6 engine, especially after the emissions modification. Warranty Background - Original in-service

NHTSA complaint 11730892, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Severe corrosion of the rear subframe crossmember on a 2014 Audi Q5 Premium Plus, purchased with 65,464 miles. Two independent inspections in South Carolina confirmed structural failure. Audi of Greenville, an authorized Audi dealership, marked the condition as VERY DANGEROUS on the service invoice and quoted $4,711.52 for subframe replacement. They were unable to perform a wheel alignment due to the severity of the corrosion. Yoder's Automotive in Westminster, SC independently confirmed the subframe was rusted beyond repair on both sides. Fist-sized holes have corroded through the structural metal on both sides of the subframe. The vehicle has plastic stone guard covers bolted over the

NHTSA complaint 11730241, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
This vintage 2014 Audi A5 has a well known serious rust perforation issue with the rear subframe. The corrosion / rust through of two major holes, approx 3 inches in diameter, causing structural failure of the sub frame. This is a major saftey concern with these cars from model year 2009 thru 2017. The only remedy is replacement of the sub frame under Audi's 12 year rust perforation warranty or good will.

NHTSA complaint 11729264. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

108,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the fuel odor was also outside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a leaking fuel pump. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V298000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the recall repair was performed in 2017. The contact was informed that a protective film was applied during the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware

NHTSA complaint 11727209, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi Q5

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 40 1
2024 19 4
2023 42 5
2022 21 4
2021 69 8
2020 23 6
2019 49 5
2018 198 6
2017 42 5
2016 77 5
2015 97 6
2013 89 5
2012 168 6
2011 142 5
2010 99 4

Other 2014 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 147 vehicles, 216 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst